Edexcel FD2 2023 June — Question 8

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleFD2 (Further Decision 2)
Year2023
SessionJune
TopicThe Simplex Algorithm

8. A two-person zero-sum game is represented by the pay-off matrix for player A shown below. \section*{Player B} Player A
\cline { 2 - 4 } \multicolumn{1}{c|}{}Option XOption YOption Z
Option Q- 325
Option R2- 10
Option S4- 2- 1
Option T- 402
  1. Verify that there is no stable solution to this game.
  2. Explain why player A should never play option T. You must make your reasoning clear. Player A intends to make a random choice between options \(\mathrm { Q } , \mathrm { R }\) and S , choosing option \(Q\) with probability \(p _ { 1 }\), option \(R\) with probability \(p _ { 2 }\) and option \(S\) with probability \(p _ { 3 }\) Player A wants to calculate the optimal values of \(p _ { 1 } , p _ { 2 }\) and \(p _ { 3 }\) using the Simplex algorithm.
    1. Formulate the game as a linear programming problem for player A. You should write the constraints as equations.
    2. Write down an initial Simplex tableau for this linear programming problem, making your variables clear. The linear programming problem is solved using the Simplex algorithm. The optimal value of \(p _ { 1 }\) is \(\frac { 6 } { 11 }\) and the optimal value of \(p _ { 2 }\) is 0
  3. Find the best strategy for player B, defining any variables you use.